Itinerary

Day 1: Depart USA
Your journey into Laos begins as you board your international flight.

Day 2: En route

Day 3: Arrive Bangkok, Thailand
On arrival, you walk to your hotel located in the arrivals hall of the airport complex. Amari Airport Hotel

Day 4: Bangkok / Vientiane, Laos
Welcome to Laos’ capital city of Vientiane, which lounges in a bend of the Mekong River, amid fertile alluvial plains. Meet your local representative and transfer to your hotel. Vientiane is a small city with pleasant streets in the central area and an easygoing ambience. Wat Sisaket is the only temple to survive the sacking of the city by the Siamese in 1828. Thousands of Buddha images and inscriptions from the 19th century crowd every niche and shelf in this temple. Luang Shrine (Great Sacred Stupa), constructed in 1566, is the most important national monument in Vientiane. Its golden stupa is believed to contain a relic of the Lord Buddha. You also visit the city’s lively markets. Settha Palace Hotel (B)

Day 5: Vientiane / Luang Prabang
Today, fly to Luang Prabang, the ancient capital of the Lan Xang Kingdom. On arrival, you are met and transferred to your hotel. Later today, set out with your guide to see this jewel set among majestic mountains. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, the town’s center is dominated by 33 Buddhist temples. Luang Prabang has about 1,000 orange-robed monks and novices, who make the rounds in town each morning to collect rice for their daily meal. The town remains the center for Buddhist learning in Laos. Situated between two rivers, Mekong and Khan, and surrounded by ring of mountains, Luang Prabang is a treasure of temples and historical monuments. La Residence Phou Vao(B)

Day 6: Luang Prabang
This morning, the town’s monks serve as your alarm clock as you wake to the sounds of their chiming bells, gongs and drums. This is how each day begins in this ancient capital. Today, you travel to Kuang Si Waterfalls. Surrounded by lush landscapes near Luang Prabang, this energetic waterfall tumbles over tiers of limestone formations into a series of picture-perfect turquoise pools. La Residence Phou Vao (B)

Day 7: Luang Prabang / Pakbeng
Your adventure continues as you board a Pak Ou boat on the Mekong River. The comfortable teak boat, with seating for 36 and a bar and cooler, is perfect for cruising the river at a leisurely pace. Along the way, stop at Pak Ou Caves. This sacred underground sanctuary houses thousands of Buddha images. Continue on to a local village for a lesson in making rice wine. Enjoy lunch aboard your boat before visiting a fishing village. Arrive in Pakbeng in late afternoon, where you overnight at the comfortable country lodge. LuangSay Lodge (B,L)

Day 8: Pakbeng / Huay Xai / Bangkok
Early this morning, the Pak Ou boat leaves the pier for to cruise up river to Huay Xai near the Laos-Thai border. Several stops along the way offer opportunities to observe rural life and to marvel at just how little has changed over the centuries. Your boat docks at Huay Xai early this afternoon. You are then driven across the Thai border to Chiang Rai airport for your flight for Bangkok. In Bangkok, you again walk to your hotel located within the in the arrivals hall at the airport. Amari Airport Hotel (B)

Day 9: Bangkok / Depart
Today, you connect to your onward destination. (B)

Tour Highlights

Experience Vientiane, Laos’ relaxed and welcoming capital city.

Awake to temple bells and gongs in magical Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and ancient capital city of Lan Xang Kingdom.

Relish mesmerizing Kuang Si waterfalls as the multi-tiered falls tumble over limestone formations into a series of turquoise pools.

Explore traditional villages along the Mekong River banks aboard Pak Ou boats, perfect for leisurely river travel.

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